Propelling apparatus for boats.



B. B. BUWERS.

PROPELLING APPARATUS POR BOATS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1913.

LWBWL Patented @11.5, 1915.

2 SHEBTSSEBET 1.

B. B. BOWERS.

PROPBLLING APPARATUS FOR BOATS.

APPLIOATIQN FILED AUG.2B,1913.

L :IL l., Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

75 @www MORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTO-LITRO.. WASHINGTON, D. C

Boss s. sourses,

0F MACON, GEORGIA.'

PROPELLING APPARATUS FOR BOATS.

Application le. August 28, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Bosn B. Bownns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Macon, in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Propelling Apparatus for Boats; and hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is a novel apparatus for propelling boats and the like, and is designed to be preferably operated by. power; it may be located at either the stern or side of the boat; and may embody one or more propelling units, which are substantially duplicates of each other, and preferably arranged to operate successively.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings which show one practical embodiment of such invention as applied to the stern of a boat.

ln said drawings-Figure l is a plan view of a propelling apparatus embodving the invention; and including two propelling units. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

ln the drawings the apparatus has two propelling units, A and B, each of which consists of similar parts, which parts are similarly lettered in the drawings so that the description of one will explain both.

As shown each propelling unit comprises a crank shaft l which is preferably provided with two similar cranks la on which are journaled oscillating levers 2 to the lower ends of which is attached a blade 2a. The crank shaft l is journaled in suitable bearings 9 on a framework 9 of any suitable construction, which in the example shown projects from the stern of the boat, and supports the shaft l a few feet above the water line. The levers 2 are of such length that when the cranks l are traversing the lower halves of their orbits, the blade will be submerged in the water: and while the cranks traverse the upper halves of their orbits the blade will be raised above the water line. lThe blade is effectively operative while moving` through the lower half of orbit. but out of effective operation while in the upper half of its orbit.

rThe upper end of each lever 2 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 3, as` shown at Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 5, i915.

serial no. venise.

2b, while the other end of each link is pivotally connected to the upper end of an oscillating lever 4 that is pivoted at 4a on a bracket 4b attached to the boat or frame in any suitable manner. The lower end of lever 4 is pivotally connected at 5LL to a link or rod 5 which is attachedto an eccentric strap 5 that encircles an eccentric 6 iixed on shaft 1 intermediate the cranks la. This eccentric is so set relative to the cranks that it will cause the blade 2 to enter the water easily and vleave same quickly, and while in the water to maintain a substantially vertical position, so as to obtain the most effective action of the broad side of the blade against the water in propelling the vessel.

rIhe shaft l may be operated by any suitable mechanism; for instance, when applied to the stern of a boat, it may be provided with a sprocket wheel 7 driven by a sprocket-chain 72L from a suitable engine, not shown. Any other suitable means may be used for operating the crank shaft, and power :may be applied thereto in the most advantageous manner according to the location of the propelling apparatus at the stern, or sides, of a vessel. In the example shown the crank shafts of the adjacent units are formed integral, or rigidly connected so that they will he rotated in unison; but the cranks of the two units A and B are preferably set about 180 apart, so that the blades thereof act in alternation, and will thus impart a steady forward movement to the vessel. rlfhe result of this construction is that for each rotation of shaft 1, the blade lifts up out of the water` moves forward and drops into the water and pushes the full length of its travel in the water; then again lifts out and goes forward, the orbit of the blade being indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The blades of the adjacent units alternate in action in the water so that one or the other is pushing all the time. Obviously the number of' propelling units might be increased if desired.'

bolt 5 may be engaged to vary the point of connection to rod 5. The links 3 may be adjustably attached to the levers 2, as for instance, the levers 2 are shown as` formed with series of holes 2n in their upper ends, with any of which the pivot pins 2l maybe engaged. By changing the point of connection of link 3 with lever 2 the pitch of the blade in its orbit can be varied.

r1`he apparatus effects a saving of power as y lcompared with the ordinary paddle wheels in that during practically the entire travel of the blade through the water, it has a direct push against the water and the power is used to the best advantage. i

My apparatus will operate reversely, and as many units can be used as may be desired. 1n the example shown, I have illustrated a blade as carried by two similar levers on similar cranks in each unit-but one' lever and a short blade could be used for small propellers and-would operate-in the manner described. y y

vThis propelling apparatus can-be used on flat bottom boats for shallow water, as the blades `can be arranged `to operate just above the bottom of the vessel, which arrangement will protect the bladesvand still enable them to operate efficiently. Of course, the blades ymay be set higher or lower in the water as may be desired. y

While 1 have described and shown eccentrics on the shafts for operating the oscillating levers 2, it is obvious that a cam or crank which would impart oscillatory motion to the lower end of the lever 4 would be the full equivalent of the eccentric, and it is to be understood that 1 do not limit myself by the term eccentric to the specific eccentric device shown in the drawings.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. In combination a rotatable crank, a blade mounted thereupon, an eccentric beside the blade, and connections for controlling the said blade by said eccentric.

2.r In combination a rotatable crank, a lever' thereon, ablade connected with said lever, an eccentric independent of the blade, and-connections whereby-the movement of the blade is controlled by said eccentric.

H3. In combination a rotatable crank, a lever thereon, a blade connected withsaid lever, an eccentric beside the blade, and connections between said eccentric and said llever whereby the movementI of the blade is controlled.

4. In combination with al rotatable crank, a blade connected therewith, a crank or eccentric on said shaft beside the crank and .connections between saidv eccentric and said between said lever and said blade, an eccentric on the shaft, and connections between the said lever and said eccentric whereby the movement of the blade is controlled.

6. In combination with a rotatable crank, a blade connected therewith, an eccentric on said shaft, an oscillating lever pivoted on a fixed point adjacent the shaft, connections between the said lever and the blade, and connections between the said lever and said eccentric.

7. In combination with a rotatable crank, an oscillating lever thereon, a blade connected with said lever, an eccentric on said shaft, and connections between said eccentric and said lever whereby the movement of the blade is controlled, substantially as described.

8. ln propelling apparatus, the combination of a crank, a lever pivoted thereon, a blade on such lever, an oscillating lever beside the crank, a connection between said oscillating lever and said pivoted lever, an eccentric, and connections between the said oscillating lever and said eccentric whereby the movement of the blade is controlled.

9. In combination with a rotatable crank, a lever pivoted thereon, a blade connected with said lever, an eccentric, an oscillating lever pivoted on a fixed point adjacent the shaft, connections between the latter lever and the blade lever, and connections between the blade lever and said eccentric cam.

10. In a propelling apparatus, the combination of a crank, a lever pivoted thereon, a blade on the lower end of such lever, an oscillating lever beside the crank, a link connecting the upper end of the oscillating lever with said pivoted lever, an eccentric on the shaft, and connections between the lower end of said pivoted lever and said eccentric whereby the movement of the blade is controlled.

11. The combination of a rotary crank, a blade carrying lever thereon, an eccentric on said shaft, an oscillating lever adjacent the crank shaft, connections between said eccentric and said lever, and a link connection between the upper end of said oscillating lever and said blade lever, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a shaft having a pair of similar cranks, a blade carried on such cranks, an eccentric on said shaft, an oscillating lever adjacent the crank shaft, connections between said eccentric and said oscillating lever, and connections between said lever and said blade, substantially as described.

13. A propelling apparatus comprising a crank shaft having a pair of similar cranks, an eccentric thereon, a blade mounted on the cranks, an oscillating lever adjacent the crank shaft, a rod connecting said oscillating lever with the eccentric, and links connecting the upper ends of said oscillating lever with said blade.

14. In combination, a crank shaft having a pair of similar cranks, an eccentric, levers mounted on the cranks, a blade attached to such levers, an oscillating lever adjacent the cranks, a rod connecting said oscillating lever with the eccentric, and connections between said oscillating lever and said blade carrying levers.

15. rlhe combination of a shaft having a pair of similar cranks, a blade carrying lever on each crank, an eccentric on said shaft, an oscillating lever adjacent thecrank shaft, connections between said eccentric and said oscillating lever, and link connections between the said lever and said carrying levers, substantially as described.

16. A propelling apparatus comprising a crank shaft having a pair of similar cranks, an eccentric thereon, oscillating levers mounted on the cranks, a blade attached to the lower ends of such levers, an oscillating lever adjacent the crank shaft, a rod connecting said oscillating lever with the eccentric, and links connecting the upper ends of said oscillating lever with said blade-carrying levers.

17. In combination, a crank shaft having a pair of similar cranks, an eccentric intermediate the cranks, pivoted levers mounted on the cranks, a blade attached to the lower ends of such levers, an oscillating lever piv oted on a fixed support adjacent the cranks, a rod connecting the lower end of said oscillating lever with the eccentric, and links connecting the upper end of said oscillating lever with said blade-carrying levers.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BOSE B. BOVERS.

Witnesses:

DEVITT MCCRARY, B. J. BALKcoM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C. 

